Arab Woman Awards 2016 Winners Announced

Under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, the Arab Woman Awards held its eighth annual ceremony.

This year’s edition of the awards saw a special tribute paid to the late Ameera BinKaram, the former Vice Chairperson of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment and Chairperson of the Arab Women's Award jury for the last four years. Her legacy was acknowledged with a “Lifetime Achievement” Award.

The ceremony also honoured 22 inspiring Arab women who were selected to win in the award’s various categories in recognition of their outstanding contributions and exceptional achievements across fields; including business, the arts, philanthropy and fashion.

The special ceremony was held in the Sheraton Hotel Sharjah, with the event taking place for the first-time outside Dubai in tribute to the late Ameera BinKaram, who was one of Sharjah’s shining stars. It was attended by more than 400 dignitaries and high-level business women, including Sue Holt, executive director of the award; Abdulraheem BinKaram, Ameera’s father; Reem BinKaram, Ameera’s sister and Director of Sharjah Children’s Centres; Noura Al Noman, Director General of the Executive Office of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi; Eram Madhar Olwee, Senior Eram Madhar Olwee, First Advisor at the Executive Office of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi Advisor at the Executive Office of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi; Khawla Jassim Al Serkal, Director General of the Sharjah Ladies Club and others.

During the event, keynote speakers praised Ameera BinKaram’s achievements, outlining how she dedicated her life to enabling women through her tireless voluntary and humanitarian efforts.

“Today we celebrate the multitude of Arab women’s achievements and their vital role in developing our Arab societies. We honour the accomplishments of the late Ameera BinKaram, may the Almighty rest her soul in peace, and pay tribute to the efforts she spent for the good of her country and the Arab world. It was her ambition and vision that made these efforts a solid ground for women’s development and progression in various fields,” said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development.

“The fact that this programme is held annually in the UAE shows that our country encourages women’s excellence and values their important contributions to society. We should all be proud of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, for her generous support for all women causes and for setting new standards in societal and human development,” added Nahyan.

Sue Holt, Executive Director of ITP, said during her speech: “I’d like to mention someone very special and the reason we have bought the awards to Sharjah for the first time – Ameera bin Karam. I first met Ameera when she won the Humanitarian of the Year award in 2012 for her work with Friends of Cancer Patients. I was instantly taken with her enthusiasm, elegance and her passion for supporting others. She loved the ethos of the awards and was determined to help. Despite being a very busy person, she volunteered to join the judging board then later became the Chairperson. Over the past four years, she helped create awareness not only for the awards but for many causes and people that she held dear. She was a very special lady and will be forever in our hearts.”

On winning the Inspirational Woman, Sheikha Dr Alia Al Qasimi said; “I am extremely proud of receiving the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award 2016, as part of the Arab Women of the Year Awards. It will motivate me to excel both in the medical field as a gynaecologist specialised in plastic aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, innovative urogynecologist, as well as the social field as the Acting CEO of Social and Care and Development Sector in Dubai government and being responsible about disability and the treatment of persons with special needs. The UAE provided us with help and support and that increases our determination to be its ambassadors and inspire generations in the future.”

The Arab Woman Awards were launched in 2009 with the aim of raising public awareness of the significant achievements by Arab women and to provide young women with inspirational role models. The event is an annual opportunity to shed light on inspiring Arab women and offers attendees and winners the chance to open communication channels, create networks, share experience and exchange ideas that lead to new achievements.